Gen Z Coffee Trends Are Changing the Face of Coffee in 2025

Gen Z coffee trends are redefining the way the world experiences its daily brew. From crafting at-home café vibes to indulging in Instagram-worthy aesthetic drinks, Generation Z is pushing coffee innovators to grind harder and serve up fresh, creative ideas that match their evolving tastes.

The Gen Z Effect: Cultural Shifts Shaping the Coffee Biz 

If you thought the coffee industry had reached its final form, think again. Gen Z consumers (those born between 1997 and 2012) are seriously shaking up the way people produce, distribute, market and consume their favorite jitter juice. Never content to settle for the status quo, Gen Z consumers are pushing the boundaries and making us think harder about the future of a beverage many of us have long taken for granted. 

With Tastewise reporting 150% YoY growth in Gen Z’s coffee-related social media conversations, it’s fair to say Gen Z coffee drinkers are having a massive impact on how brands around the world stay on-trend. Here are a few of the Gen Z coffee trends influencing global coffee culture in 2025:  

• Cold brew keeps it cool: Iced coffee trends have been enjoying an extended stay in the limelight, with many Gen Zers enjoying convenient cold-brew beverages year-round.
• Instant gratification: After gaining a surprising amount of traction on TikTok (largely thanks to the Dalgona coffee trends of 2020), instant coffee has made a major comeback among younger consumers. 
• Functional focus: Gen Z is notoriously health-focused, which has opened up space for coffee producers to bring mushroom coffee trends and other functional twists to the market. Adaptogens, collagen and nootropics are all becoming more common beverage components – allowing Gen Z consumers to take more pride in the products they trust to fuel their mornings. 
• Sustainability slays: Research suggests that between 60% and 73% of Gen Z consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products. Subsequently, coffee brands that utilize sustainable farming practices and embrace more eco-friendly packaging materials stand to make a bigger impact on the dynamic Gen Z consumer base. 
• Drink-from-home: Given that a large portion of the Gen Z population entered the workforce at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Gen Z professionals have had to ditch the local coffee shop in favor of at-home brews. Subsequently, coffee brands have had to up the ante and scale up production of coffee pods, instant coffee, refrigerated cold brew and other DIY options to meet the needs of a growing remote workforce. 
• Healthier habits: Given the popularity of Gen Z’s tendency to reach for healthier food and beverage alternatives, many coffee companies are rolling out products that are low in sugar, uncaffeinated and dairy-free. Similarly, some brands are taking this opportunity to capitalize on black coffee trends by offering free refills of drip coffee beverages to consumers looking for a simpler coffee experience. 
• Do it for the grid: Instagram is the most widely used social media platform within the Gen Z population, making aesthetic experiences top of mind for consumers between the ages of 13 and 28. Instagrammable cafés and aesthetically appealing products (like those featured in whipped coffee trends) make for curated “coffee moments” with major viral potential. 

These are just a few of the Gen Z preferences changing the face of the global coffee market in 2025. Across the board, Gen Z consumers are gravitating toward coffee products and brands that reflect both their aesthetic tastes and personal values, as evidenced by a recent Tastewise report that identified “Attractive” and “Sustainability” as the top-ranking consumer needs among Gen Z coffee drinkers.

Stats & Facts: What You Need to Know About Gen Zers and Their Coffee Habits 

As research into Gen Z’s consumption habits continues to roll in, a clearer picture is emerging of this one-of-a-kind generation’s product preferences and purchasing power. Here are a few data points to keep in mind when assessing Gen Z’s impact on the global coffee landscape: 

• The are over 69 million Gen Zers in the United States 
• On average, Gen Zers start drinking coffee around the age of 15 – much earlier than many of the generations who came before them. 
• Roughly 47% of Gen Z consumers report drinking coffee daily.
• 73% of Gen Zers say they have used a mobile app to order coffee in the past. 
• Cold coffee beverages are considered the “coffee drink of choice” for Gen Zers, according to a representative from Nestlé.
• Data from Tastewise’s consumer intelligence platform reveals that Gen Z consumers are increasingly seeking out products like lattes that capitalize on documented espresso trends.

All of these statistics highlight the fact that Gen Z represents a significant portion of the global population that wields major purchasing power. Although Gen Z consumers drink coffee less frequently than their millennial or Gen X counterparts, they place strong emphasis on experience and value when deciding how, when and where to spend their disposable income on coffee.

Gen Z Coffee Challenges: Where Trouble Might Be Brewing 

While Gen Z is energizing the coffee market by demanding greater sustainability, convenience and innovation, Gen Z’s changing expectations for coffee consumption pose a handful of challenges for coffee producers, distributors and marketers. 

As Gen Z continues to advocate for greater sustainability and transparency from retailers, coffee brands must take proactive steps to keep it real with their target audience. From farming practices to brand voice and everything in between, coffee companies must become more intentional about how they engage with the world around them in order to meet the high expectations of younger consumers. 

As a result, long-established brands may find themselves tasked with rethinking their business practices in response to greater public scrutiny from the Gen Z consumer base. Unlike previous generations who often embraced the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mindset, Gen Z approaches tradition with healthy skepticism and challenges brands to adapt to changing consumer expectations and shifting cultural values.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Gen Z Coffee Trends

Based on many of the key takeaways from recent research, it’s fair to say that Gen Z’s coffee habits, as has been the case with many other Gen Z food trends, will likely drive even more innovation in flavor, format, and function in the months and years ahead.

Moving forward, we can expect to see: 

• Continued growth in instant coffee trends – perhaps with a luxury or aesthetic twist 
• Ongoing social chatter about trending products and points of sale 
• An increased emphasis on sustainability and accessibility in the farming, production, distribution, marketing and consumption of coffee products 
• Major innovations in at-home coffee technology like AI-powered home espresso machines and customizable coffee subscriptions 

Gen Z’s purchasing power is derived largely from the generation’s tendency to push the envelope and disrupt the status quo. Brands that understand and embrace these generational qualities patterns and respond with creative, value-driven products will have the best chance of staying competitive in a crowded and dynamic market. 

Final Thoughts

Gen Z coffee trends in 2025 have evolved far beyond the basic desire for a minor energy boost. Gen Z embraces intentionality in everything they do and every product they consume, and coffee is certainly no exception. From sustainable farming practices to high-tech home brewing solutions, Gen Z is asking for new and innovative products and protocols that align with their values while speaking to their aesthetic sensibilities. 

If you’re in the coffee space, now’s the time to get and stay curious. Whether it’s developing bold new flavors, showcasing sustainable sourcing or embracing the need for enjoyable at-home coffee experiences, with a little bit of ingenuity and a whole lot of humility, you might just stand a chance at becoming the next viral sensation.